Respiratory Therapy
Headwaters’ Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT's) are licensed by
the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) and participate
in an ongoing Quality Assurance Program. Practicing under the direction
of a physician, RRT's evaluate, treat, and care for patients with
breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders in the following areas:
-
critical care
including emergency, intensive care and trauma services
-
operating and
recovery rooms
-
labour and
delivery / obstetrics departments /pediatrics
-
asthma / COPD
education & rehabilitation clinics
-
non-critical
patient assessment and treatment areas
-
diagnostic testing
departments
-
analysis of
blood for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels (arterial blood gas
analysis) and various other blood values
-
analysis of
pulmonary function
-
assist with the
examination of, and obtaining tissue samples from the lungs by
way of a fiberoptic camera (bronchoscope)
-
facilitating
the collection of sputum for sample analysis (sputum induction)
-
analysis of the
body's response to stress (exercise testing)
-
cardiac
electrical activity (electrocardiogram; ECG)
-
Home oxygen
assessment
Some
of the procedures that a Respiratory Therapist may perform include:
-
insertion of
artificial airways (intubation- advancing a tube through the mouth
or nose into the trachea)
-
assisting the
anaesthetist with airway management and the insertion of specialty
lines
-
bronchial hygeine"
- applying suction to keep the trachea or lungs clear of mucous
-
mechanical
ventilation - "life support system" monitoring, assessing and
-
Non-invasive
ventilation: CPAP & BIPAP
-
caring for
patients who need assistance breathing
-
medication
delivery - using a mask and "nebulizer" or a "puffer"
-
providing
humidification / oxygen delivery
-
maintenance and
repairs of respiratory therapy related equipment
-
cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR)
-
controlling and
supplying medical gases
-
patient / family /
caregiver education
RRTs might be involved
in caring for patients who have the following diseases or conditions:
-
artificial airways-tracheostomy
tubes
-
asthma
-
head injuries
-
heart failure /
cardiac arrest/ cardioversion
-
car accident
victims
-
chest trauma -
pneumothorax
-
chronic
bronchitis
-
croup / epiglotitis
-
cystic fibrosis
-
drowning victims
-
emphysema
-
head injuries
-
heart failure /
cardiac arrest/ cardioversion
-
lung surgeries
-
neuromuscular
disorders such as: Guillian Barre, A.L.S., Myasthenia Gravis
-
overdose
-
pneumonia
-
polio
-
pulmonary
fibrosis/respiratory distress
-
smoke inhalation
-
spinal cord injured
individuals
-
strokes
|
